Hazel F. Schimke, 97, Wessington Springs, died Friday, Jan. 3, 2014 at Weskota Manor/Avera Health in Wessington Springs.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. at the United Church of Christ with the Rev. Sara Olson Dean officiating. Burial will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at the Basham Funeral Home. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. The family prefers memorials.
Hazel Fern LaBau was born on May 26, 1916 in Cherry Township, Jerauld County to Val and Clara (Olson) LaBau. She graduated from Wessington High School in 1933, received her teaching certificate from Wessington Springs College and taught in rural schools.
On Dec. 24, 1935, she married Edwin Schimke in Huron. They farmed northwest of Wessington Springs.
Hazel enjoyed playing the piano, listening to music, gardening and doing crossword puzzles.
She is survived by her daughters, Verneil Knigge, Huron, Eileen Kay (Gaylord) Brandenburg, rural Alpena, Laurel Lee (Thomas) Hinrichs, Hot Springs, and Minette (Dave) Tyler, Sioux Falls; one sister, Faye (Nordal) Fastnacht, Wessington Springs; one daughter-in-law, Audrey Schimke, Wessington Springs; 16 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; and one sister-in-law, Alma (Conovan) Shoop, Redfield.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1998; two sons, Roger in 2001 and Terrence (Terry) in 2007; three sisters, Mildred (Ray) Larson, Verna (Dale) Barber and Elaine (Bob) Rhode; one brother, Virgil (Millie) LaBau; and one grandson, Barry Wayne Knigge.